Multiple sclerosis decisions — 2001

The Board finds that the veteran's symptoms during service were not manifestations of multiple sclerosis, and there is no evidence of a diagnosis within the seven-year presumptive period following his discharge. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of service connection for multiple sclerosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current multiple sclerosis and there is no evidence of degenerative disc disease L5-S1 meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis was denied as there was no medical evidence showing the existence of this condition. For the back disability, the evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, finding that the earliest date upon which the veteran had at least one disability rating of 40 percent or more and a total combined service-connected disability rating of at least 70 percent was December 10, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the previous rating decision. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the psychological impact on the veteran's ability to receive SMC due to his impotency and penile prosthesis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and a rating greater than 10 percent for hyperglycemia with seizures prior to July 23, 1998. The RO granted her a rating of 20 percent for hyperglycemia with seizures effective July 23, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for compliance with instructions set forth in previous REMANDs, consideration of additional entitlement, and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The effective date for the grant of service connection for malignant lymphoma, which led to an R-1 level of SMC, is set at April 28, 1995. The veteran's MS was not considered in determining the effective date.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for multiple sclerosis, finding that the veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim that the August 1973 rating decision, which granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in failing to grant service connection for Stroke Syndrome.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of multiple sclerosis to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The issue of service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that there is no evidence of its onset during or within seven years after active service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for clarification of medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected multiple sclerosis has resulted in a 30 percent evaluation for partial paralysis of the distal left lower extremity, but his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection and accrued benefits, but granted service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left ankle for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for multiple sclerosis, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and peripheral neuropathy, were not incurred during military service as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's condition was stable for transfer to VA on March 24, 1997, and appropriate treatment was available at the VA facility. Therefore, reimbursement is warranted for unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a presumption of service connection due to an onset within seven years of separation from service.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected disabilities and whether he should receive higher levels of special monthly compensation based on the severity of his conditions. The RO has ordered additional VA examinations to assess the current level of impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities.